19th Annual May Queen Ball a big hit in Doha

17 May 201803:42am IST

17 May 201803:42am IST

voice of Goans living in the tiny oil-rich
country of Qatar for the last 18 years without any doubt. Ably led by
inimitable Simon D’Silva, the association, since inception has joined hands
with charitable groups such as CRY and CARITAS and has rendered yeoman’s
service in nurturing Goan culture and spirit among the large number of Goan
expatriates. On a larger note the association has always been in the forefront
of reaching out to various causes back home, thus setting a shining example to
all. It is therefore not astonishing to see them host events with great aplomb and
success for nearly two decades.

The association is known not only for
meticulous planning but also perfect execution and the annual May Queen Ball
has been a true example for this.

The full-house Giwana Hall in Radisson Blu
Hotel went berserk in applause and burst into celebration as sizzling beauty
Swizel Pereira was crowned the 18th May Queen by Bollywood actor Milind Gunaji
in the august company of stunning actress Palomi Ghosh, Goan Welfare
Association president Simon D’Silva, chief guest Luizinho Faleiro, MLA &
ex-chief minister of Goa, Guest of honour H.E. Antonio Tanger Correa,
Ambassador of Portugal to Qatar and GWA members on Thursday May 10.

Swizel was perhaps the best choice to be
the 18th May Queen as her wisdom matched her confidence and dazzling smile.
Swizel walked away with fabulous prizes including gold necklace by Marhaba
Jewellers, Westar wrist watch, gift hamper of perfumes and facial vouchers,
Doha-Kuwait-Doha airline ticket by Cleopatra travels, two nights stay and
dinner for two at Grand Hyatt and gift voucher by Apparel group.

While bold and beautiful Bakhita Souza
Ferrao was crowned as first runner-up. She won gold necklace by Prakkat
jewellers, westar wrist watch, gift hamper of perfumes and facial vouchers,
overnight stay and dinner voucher at horizon manor hotel and gift voucher by
apparel group.

Second runner-up was Shubra Bedi who walked away with a gold
chain by Zaiba jewellers, overnight stay and dinner vouchers at horizon manor
hotel, Westar wrist watch, perfumes gift hamper and facial vouchers and a gift
voucher by apparel group.

The grand gala traditional 18th May Queen ball organised by Goan
Welfare Association in collaboration with orbit events and marketing on 10th
May at Radisson Blue was a grand success and delivered on its promise of
exhilarating music and spectacular performances laced with fun, frolic and
excitement. The event is much awaited every year and this year was not much
different. It was patronised by not only local guests but also guests from GCC
countries, Portugal, UK and India. In the last 18 years if anything has been
synonymous with Goa and Goans in Qatar, then it has to be the annual May Queen
Ball. The compere of the evening was Updesh Swar who set the ball rolling with
the band in attendance Forefront with the Konkani song Tuzo Mog originally done
by Goa’s nightingale Lorna. As the evening wore on the dance floor at couple
flooding in huge number, elegantly dancing to ballroom, cha cha cha, swing and
jive.

This year was different with the chief guest Luizinho Faleiro,
guest of honour HE Antonio Tanger Correa, Milind Gunaji, Palomi Ghosh, Bardroy
Barretto and Glen Barretto, all were escorted by GWA president Simon D’Silva
and members of the association to the traditional Portuguese Marcha De
Fontainhais.

Two global Indians responsible for transforming the world has
been lifted as most powerful icons of the middle east, successful businessmen,
socio-cultural activities, winners of Bharat Samman award were Mr. Hassan Abdul
Karim Chougule and Mr. Syed Mohammad Sabih Bukhari were felicitated by HE
Antonio Tanger Correa and Luizinho Faleiro with the presence of other
dignitaries.

HE Antonio Tanger Correa expressed his happiness and thanked GWA
and Simon D’Silva for inviting him as guest of honour. He spoke about long
association of Portugal and Goa and how he was instrumental in setting up the
Portuguese consulate in Goa. He said that event like this helps promote Goan
culture and music amongst other communities. Chief Guest Luizinho Faleiro spoke
about the yeomen services GWA are doing back home in India by helping the
needy. President Simon D’Silva in his address thanked all the sponsors, guests
and well-wishers who patronise the may queen ball for the past 18 years. He
also said next year it will be bigger and better and more surprises for the
forthcoming May Queen ball to be held on 25th April 2019 due to Ramada
festival. Milind Gunaji spoke about his association with Goa as his mother is
from Ponda, Goa. He said this event brought his childhood memories of Goa.
Palomi Ghosh jammed up with Forefront band and stole everyone’s heart by
singing her own rendition of the famous song Bebdo. Doha’s favourite and ace DJ
Glorio played some scintillating dancing numbers. There was hardly anyone who
could resist the temptation from storming to the dance floor and celebrating
the evening.

There was a grand release of national award winning film
Nachom-ia Kumpasar audio CD for global distribution by HE Antonio Tanger
Correa, Luizinho Faleiro in the presence of Director Bardroy Barretto, Glen
Barretto, lead actress of the film Palomi Ghosh, Milind Gunaji, Carmo Santos
from Kuwait and other dignitaries. Nachom-ia Kumpasar weaves some of Konkani
most enduring and endearing anthems into the narrative effortlessly. The music
will simply soak into a system and will not let go as it hasn’t. Also a new
Konkani weekly newspaper named Fuddari was released by the dignitaries. This
weekly paper will be available in all the gulf countries that will help to
promote the Konkani language.

The guests were awarded with five lucky entrance branded watches
sponsored by Domasco.

The glittering full-house evening had lot in store in the form
of surprises and prizes as the organizers showered in number of attractive
prizes to the people on the dancing floor.